Mumbai, Aug 13 A court here on Thursday sentenced a man to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for trying to kill a woman after she rejected his marriage proposal, and for attacking a police constable who intervened to save her.
Calling it a "grave offence", Additional Sessions Judge R S Aradhye, remarked that strict legal action and awareness were essential to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of both police personnel and women.
The court noted that rising incidents of attack on police personnel and violence against girls arising from one-sided love are "deeply concerning".
"Such acts reflect a dangerous disregard for law, consent and human dignity," the court said.
Accused Anil Babar (36) has been convicted under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 307 (attempt to murder), 354 (D) (stalking), 333 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter public servant), 353 (assault to deter public servant), and 506 (II) (criminal intimidation), along with section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act.
The court has sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000 for the charge of attempt to murder.
According to the prosecution, Babar, a salesman residing in Wadala (East), had developed a one-sided affection for the victim who lived in the same locality.
He persistently pressured her for marriage, and despite her clear refusal and a prior police complaint lodged against him for stalking and intimidation, he continued to follow and threaten her, the police said.
As per the prosecution, the incident took place in May 2022 near a bus stop in Wadala while the victim was on her way to work.
After the victim refused to speak with him, Babar pulled out a knife concealed in his waistband and brutally stabbed her in the abdomen, back, and right hand.
Police constable Mayur Patil, who was deployed on duty at the nearby Pooja Junction, rushed to the spot to rescue the woman.
During the ensuing scuffle to disarm the attacker, Babar assaulted the constable, inflicting bleeding injuries on his right wrist, the prosecution said.
The accused dropped the knife only after another police personnel struck his hand with a wooden stick. Both the victim and the constable required hospitalisation. The woman remained admitted for 10 days and had to undergo critical abdominal surgery.
